Tips on How to Write a High School Graduation Speech

Speaking at graduation is a high honor usually bestowed upon the valedictorian and the salutatorian. If you have the honor of writing a graduation speech, congratulations. Graduation is an exciting time and the commencement ceremony will be remembered for years to come.

Here are some tips to consider when writing a great high school graduation speech.

1. Greet the audience. You'll want to use power and liveliness to greet the audience and get them ready for the graduation speech you've prepared. Grab their attention early. Mention the administration, faculty, parents and of course, your fellow classmates.

2. Introduce yourself. Your fellow classmates may know you, but those in the audience may not. Share a little bit about yourself. A couple sentences is enough. You'll want to keep the focus on the entire graduating class.

3. Use a little bit of humor. Get the audience laughing and comfortable with a couple jokes that are within taste and appropriate. Use jokes that are fitting for the high school, perhaps some inside jokes to get your classmates laughing. Don't use to many jokes though.

4. Take a walk down memory lane. In your high school graduation speech, touch on some memorable times that your classmates experienced together. They can be lighthearted and serious. Share lots of stories to illustrate how great your class is and how much of an impact it has made on the high school community. Mention some of its accomplishments such as big sports team wins.

5. Move to the present day and all of the memories of the last year leading up to high school graduation. Tell colorful stories.

6. Keep your high school graduation speech an appropriate length. Find out in advance how long your speech should be and plan accordingly. You don't want people getting restless during your graduation speech. You want them to hear the whole thing.

7. When writing your high school graduation speech talk about the future and your plans and a few things you know other classmates plan to do.

8. Thank the administration, faculty, parents and other loved ones for their support on behalf of your fellow classmates.

9. Close out your high school graduation speech with a well wish and encouragement for your fellow classmates and their journey ahead.

10. Incorporate a school chant or song into your high school graduation speech to get the crowd moving and motivated.